On to November: Manchester's choices are clear

After a sleepy municipal primary, Manchester voters are getting a wake-up call.

Turnout was down from two years ago, in part because there was little drama about which two mayoral candidates would be advancing to the November general election.

As in 2015, Mayor Ted Gatsas will face off against former Alderman Joyce Craig.

Craig claims bragging rights by taking first place in the primary, though she received fewer votes than she and fellow Democrat Patrick Arnold tallied in 2015.

Gatsas increased both his primary total and his percentage of the primary vote, but must again boost his performance among general election voters who skipped the primary.

The stakes are clear. Manchester will either live within its means under Gatsas, or shatter the tax cap under Craig. Whom the voters select to serve as aldermen and school board members matters, but not as much as leadership at City Hall.

Congratulations to Alderman-elect Elizabeth Ann Moreau, who won the special election to fill Nick Pappas’ vacant seat in Ward 6. She and Peter Macone go back on the ballot to see who will serve a full term.